Lakers to Retire Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey In April

The Los Angeles Lakers will retire Shaquille O’Neal’s No. 34 jersey at halftime of their April 2 game against the Dallas Mavericks. In eight seasons with the Lakers, O’Neal posted averages of 27 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots, while leading L.A. to three Championships. The four-time NBA Champion and three-time Finals MVP will now join a prestigious fraternity of Laker greats in the rafters of the Staples Center. The Lakers, who had previously announced the retirement of O’Neal’s jersey, will also retire the No. 52 jersey of Jamaal Wilkes. Via the Orange County Register: “On the wall already by then will be Jamaal Wilkes’ No. 52, scheduled to be retired by the Lakers in an earlier ceremony in the coming season. Wilkes’ honor will be at halftime on Dec. 28 against Portland. The first reflective moment of the season will be the unveiling of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s statue at Star Plaza outside Staples Center on Nov. 16. Plans for the statue of Abdul-Jabbar and the jersey retirements for O’Neal and Wilkes were already confirmed last season by the Lakers. Wilkes was selected last season for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Lakers’ policy has been to retire the jerseys of all who are enshrined.”